Most books reviews aren't very well-written. They tend to be more about the reviewer than the book.

Miami, in many ways, is a quintessentially American city. The juxtaposition of showy wealth with dire pennilessness, the tussle of glitz and decay doesnt come any more marked than here.

Few pleasures are greater than knowing you can close your door, ignore the world and create your own.

A public role endures for the literary high-command, as sages and seers, speaking out on social and political issues.

It's true, some senior Hungarian writers are not known for their laughter. There is a strong Germanic influence - an attitude that if it's enjoyable it can't possibly be literature.

I went to a British Council event a while back and there were lots of German professors of literature. About half of them were convinced I had a German sense of humour and the other half were sure it was British. They are probably still arguing about it now.

I don't take much notice of reviews now - obviously you'd like to have straight worship but you're never going to get that.